03.06.2019  THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT OF NOVOVORONEZH NPP

The final stage preceding the commissioning of the 2nd Novovoronezh NPP-2 power block has begun

The second innovative 3+ generation Novovoronezh NPP-2 power block (an affiliate of the Rosenergoatom Joint-Stock Company, a part of the Electric Power division of the Rosatom State Corporation) is now undergoing pilot production, which is the final stage preceding the power block’s commissioning.

The pilot production is one of the aspects in a set of work aimed at the operational launch of the Novovoronezh NPP-2 2nd power block, and it encompasses four sub-stages: mastering 50% of the designed capacity (sub-stage 1); mastering 75% of the designed capacity (sub-stage 2); mastering all designed capacity (sub-stage 3: includes trials at 90% and 100% of the capacity); complex equipment trials (acceptances tests) of the power block and its commissioning (sub-stage 4)

The 2nd Novovoronezh NPP-2 power block was hooked up into the electrical network (had its power start-up) on May 1, 2019. The Novovoronezh NPP obtained a license from Rostekhnadzor to launch the pilot production of the 2nd power block on June 3, 2019, which was followed by the initial equipment tests at different modes and reaching 50% of its capacity.

The pilot production stage will be completed after successful trials at all capacity levels, including the designed one (100%), and all commissioning activities. Those will be followed by an audit from Rostekhnadzor to verify that the power block was constructed according to the project, and an applicable certificate will be issued. The 2nd Novovoronezh NPP-2 power block will be commissioned in late 2019.

As of now, the Novovoronezh NPP is the major producer of electric power in the Voronezh region. It accounts for around 90% of the region’s need for electric power and up to 90% of the Novovoronezh city demand for heat, powering over 20 major companies and delivering energy supply to 2.3 million of residents in the Central Black Earth Region. The commissioning of the Novovoronezh NPP-2 2nd power block will increase the total capacity of the Novovoronezh NPP 1.5 times and will spur the economic development of the Voronezh region by increasing the gross regional product and contributing over 1 billion rubles into the regional budget as property tax in 2020. 

The innovative 3+ generation power blocks boast improved technical and economic parameters that also facilitate full operational safety. They make use of the top-notch technology achievements and developments. The main point of the VVER-1200 reactor power blocks is the unique combination of active and passive safety systems that make the NPPs highly reliable to both internal and external load. What is typical for the passive systems is that they can work even when the energy supply is off and without an operator. The VVER-1200 reactor power blocks use: a ‘melt trap’ – a device that localizes the nuclear reactor’s core meltdown; an afterheat removal passive system designed to remove heat from the reactor’s active zone into the atmosphere for a long time if all energy supply sources are off; etc.

Countries like Finland, Hungary, Bangladesh, Belarus and others have opted for this technology. The international portfolio of Rosatom encompasses 36 VVER blocks in 12 countries.

Novovoronezh NPP is a branch of Rosenergoatom JSC (a part of the largest Division of Rosatom State Corporation – Electric Power Division). The Plant is situated on the River Don bank 42 km South of Voronezh. This is the first NPP of Russia with VVER type reactors (Water-Water Power Reactors of containment type with water under pressure). Three reactors of the Plant are the main ones – the prototypes of the serial power reactors. The first power unit was commissioned in 1964, the second one - in 1969, the third one – in 1971, the fourth one – in 1972, and the fifth one – in 1980. 

The power units No 1 and No 2 were shut down in 1984 and 1990, respectively. The power unit No 3 was shut down in 2016 for the decommissioning events. The power unit No 4 was shut down for modernization works. The power unit No 1 of Novovoronezh NPP-2 was commissioned on 27 February, 2017. The power unit No 2 is in the stage of commissioning works. 

The latest information about radiation situation near Russian NPPS and other nuclear power facilities can be seen at www.russianatom.ru 


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